Botswana

Southern Africa’s Kalahari basin meets the life-giving Okavango Delta, creating a wetland paradise and biodiversity hotspot like no other. From black-maned lions of the desert to the elephant giants of Chobe River, Botswana is a world in one and has some world class safari offerings.

Botswana is widely recognised as a top wildlife destination with an elite offering of luxury accommodation in pristine natural areas, with both water and land-based safari activities. It is a photographer’s dream and the options for a custom made journey are endless. We also conduct photography workshops in the dramatically beautiful Mashatu Game Reserve.


Photographed by award-winning Lance van der Vyver from Panthera Photo Safaris.

Southern Africa’s Kalahari basin meets the life-giving Okavango Delta, creating a wetland paradise and biodiversity hotspot like no other. From black-maned lions of the desert to the elephant giants of Chobe River, Botswana is a world in one and has some world class safari offerings.

Botswana is widely recognised as a top wildlife destination with an elite offering of luxury accommodation in pristine natural areas, with both water and land-based safari activities. It is a photographer’s dream and the options for a custom made journey are endless. We also conduct photography workshops in the dramatically beautiful Mashatu Game Reserve.


Photographed by award-winning Lance van der Vyver from Panthera Photo Safaris.

Photographic Workshops


We run two photographic workshops in Botswana’s Mashatu in the south of the country. During the rainy season, the landscape bursts into colour as yellow flowers carpet the reserve, which is when we run our Yellow Mashatu workshop. Our Mashatu Hides workshop focuses on the incredible experience of photographing big game from the ground up.Input your text here! The text element is intended for longform copy that could potentially include multiple paragraphs.

Photographed by award-winning Lance van der Vyver from Panthera Photo Safaris.

MASHATU HIDES


From $ (Booked on request)   / per person sharing

This safari includes three exclusive morning hide sessions photographing elephants from ground level, as well as five game drives photographing the amazing species within Mashatu.


custom dates available

5 days / 4 nights

Learn More
Photographed by award-winning Lance van der Vyver from Panthera Photo Safaris.

YELLOW MASHATU


From $ (Booked on request)   / per person sharing

A sea of yellow. One of the most unique times of year in the whole of Africa. We aim to run this safari during the brief rainy season to try and photograph Africa’s most iconic wildlife surrounded by yellow flowers.


custom dates available

5 days / 4 nights

Learn More

Botswana Destinations


As one of southern Africa’s most illustrious safari destinations, Botswana has a host of national parks and reserves, and the vast majority of the country is unfenced protected wilderness, sharing borders with human settlements, and you can expect to see signs of elephants in some of the major towns!

Chobe River has an abundance of elephants, African skimmers, and sunset boat cruises surrounded by hippos; Savuti boasts a surreal landscape that has changed dramatically over time and is known to support large lion prides that take on elephants; Moremi Game Reserve has beautiful wetland landscapes that dry up in winter and transform into open grassy areas full of game; the Okavango Delta is a network of islands and rivers with huge herds of red lechwe, big pods of hippo, and large, ancient trees housing rare birds like the Pel’s fishing owl; and the Central Kalahari is about vast space, stars, and the special desert-adapted animals you won’t see anywhere else.


Reviews


Mashatu game reserve

This is a bucket list destination, especially in summer when the flowering devil's thorns transform the landscape into a yellow carpet, providing exquisite backgrounds in your photographs. This combined with an exceptional guide in Lance, makes this an unforgettable experience.

Lance's photographic knowledge and guiding skills together with his friendly nature makes for an amazing experience. His assistance on the game drives ensures that you are able to take magnificent photographs yourself. His knowledge and tuition in post processing software (Lightroom and Photoshop) is exceptional, helping you to get the most from your photographs.

Daniel Koen
Mashatu game reserve

I have been fortunate to be able to visit Mashatu the land of giants on a photographic trip and what a special place it is. The location, accommodation, mesmerising landscape and abundance of wildlife (many location specific) make this easily one of the best places to visit. To top this all off and really pull it all together in terms of what I hold in high esteem is an extremely knowledgeable guide/naturalist and fellow photographer and this is where Lance shines bright. His ability to read situations is extraordinary. I recall setting ourselves up by a Mashatu tree (one of many) for a female leopard to arrive that had been meandering through the bushes and devils thorn flowers for a fair distance and yes she chose to climb this specific tree and settle down....pure luck maybe regardless it was incredible, and I have many more stories like this with Lance. If you want your trip taken to a really special level then Lance is your go to.
Saul Ravkind
Delta, Chobe & Vic Falls

I did a three part solo trip to Botswana and Zimbabwe, staying on the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Vic Falls with Lance as my guide. What an experience!

Okavango Delta
We were at Pom Pom Island for only two nights, but on our few safari drives we saw lechwe, reedbuck, warthogs, elephant, leopards, lions and numerous new bird species for me. We also did a Mokoro (canoe) ride on the River seeing many hippos and elephants. It was a unique experience and I highly recommend Lance as a guide/photographer.

Chobe
One of my dream trips was to the Chobe River and Victoria Falls. Lance joined me on this trip. Our first cruise along the Chobe river we experienced a herd of elephant swimming across the river right in front of our boat.  What a photo opp that was! With Lances help I got some amazing photos, especially of the elephants and also the abundant bird life.

Nicola Ann
Mashatu game reserve

This is definitely a unique destination, especially in summer when all the yellow devil’s thorns transform the landscape into a yellow carpet. This special time of the year provides unique photos with all kind of animals eating this flowers. The great thing about it is, that all animals look just stunning in this natural beautiful background.

With Lance’s expertise you will be able to take the best photos in this unique environment. Furthermore his knowledge and tuition with the post processing software “Lightroom” is exceptional. It will further help to improve your photos.

Adriana Peiris
Mashatu game reserve

Gill and I were privileged enough to accompany Lance on 3 different photographic safaris and what an absolute pleasure they were!! Not only was he delightful company but his bush and photographic knowledge was brilliant. We both look forward to many more trips with you Lance !! Regards Bruce and Gill Mager.
Bruce and Gill Mager
Mashatu game reserve

We went to Mashatu in February 2020. It was an amazing trip with the flowers in full bloom. Lance always adds a funny twist to any situation. His photographs are excellent and he is happy helping and imparting his knowledge to his fellow photographers. We wish you all the best in your new venture, and assure you of our support.
Ed & Marilyn Johnson

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